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Oxitec mosquitoes are engineered for insect population control, this works with the use of what the company calls a “self-limiting” gene. The engineered larvae carrying this gene mate with native species unleashing the trait into the wild. The self-limiting gene prevents the affected insects from reaching adulthood. The result is a dramatic decrease in the mosquito populations which is slowing the spread of several deadly diseases.

“The idea was born out of the use of radiation to sterilize fruit flies in the 1950’s,” says Parry. “But for every problem that came along with radiation, Oxitec’s founder said I reckon we can fix that with genetics.” Why mosquitoes? “We sat down and said ‘this species spreads Zika, Yellow Fever, Dengue’… let’s go after that.”

These genetically modified mosquitoes are already hard at work. Efficacy tests in Brazil, Panama and the Cayman Islands have consistently shown a 90% reduction in the resident mosquito populations.

Oxitec tracks their larvae using a color system; when viewed under fluorescent lighting, the engineered mosquito larvae appear red. Parry says this system is completely innovative in its field; “You use [the mosquitoes] where you need them and not where you don’t… it’s a completely new way of thinking driven by metrics.”

Despite the recent FDA approval Parry argues more needs to be done.

“If people want this to help in the current crisis, which is now, you really need to accelerate this through with emergency authorization. At the end of the day there is an emergency now... If you had a vaccine with this level of efficacy, it would be through in a matter of days.”